Accounting and Finance
BSc (Hons)

This course is available as a 3-year degree, 4-year extended degree, or 4 years with a placement. January start only available for the 3-year course.

If you choose the 4-year extended degree, the first year of your study will be delivered by our partner, Cambridge Ruskin International College (CRIC) on our Cambridge campus. In years 2 to 4 you'll study with us in Chelmsford.

Overview

You see yourself with a rewarding career in accountancy and finance. Our full-time degree, accredited by ACCA and CIMA, can make it happen. We know what it takes to be a financial director or an accountant, so you’ll be hands-on in our Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab in Chelmsford. Our Accounting and Finance course helps you build the skills and confidence you need to succeed.

You know that applying for jobs in the finance sector will be competitive so you want exposure to the platforms and methods that you’ll actually use not just now but throughout your career. Our Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab will ensure you get hands on with the relevant platforms, to strengthen your CV and be ready for your first graduate job. We believe the sooner you start, the more you’ll get out of it; that’s why we grant our finance students access to the Bloomberg suite from the first year.

With us, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the knowledge and tools you’ll need to launch a career in accounting and finance. Because there’s having access to facilities and software, and then there’s having the support to experiment with them.

Our Bloomberg Lab is a safe space, where you will learn the tricks of the trade, without the worry of being judged and rated. Because of that, you will enter the job market confident and ready to stand out from the crowd of other applicants. And instead of cramming the basic knowledge upon the start, you will be able to get to know your company and how things work around there.

Careers

We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.

You could go on to become a practising accountant, or opt for a wide range of careers in industry, business and the public sector. You may find yourself working in a global corporation, a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) or even for yourself – it’s not unusual for company CEOs to come from an accounting or finance background. Our graduates have moved directly into careers with prestigious Big Four auditors, such as Deloitte, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

We work closely with professional bodies such as ACCA, Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA), Institute and Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) and the Association of International Accountants (AIA). This means that everything you learn will be highly relevant in today's commercial arena. On graduation, you’ll be able to apply for exemptions from these professional bodies.

Through our Business School Intern programme, around 35 students each year get a business mentor, work experience, exclusive training and development, and a reference from our Dean.

Modules & assessment

Year one, core modules

This module aims to equip you to function effectively as an independent self-learner within the higher education learning environment, with specific reference to the area of business management and business research. You will be introduced to the learning context and the responsibilities of the individual learner and encouraged to develop practical skills identified as being central to undergraduate business degree programmes. These will include the use of information technology, presentation skills (both individually and groups), critical thinking, report writing, business calculation, logical thinking in numeracy skills, problem solving, research and analytical skills using various database such as academic research databases including Fame, Osiris and Bloomberg. There are two elements of assessment within this module which will allow you to demonstrate skills such as research skills, data presentation, data interpretation, presentation and team working.
This will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of critical thinking, research and analysis and is designed to not only gain greater understanding of a range of commercial applications but also to enhance your employability and transferrable skills such as critical analysis, data presentation and interpretation.

This module introduces you to the fundamentals of economics and focuses on applying key economic insights to business and management. First, the module focuses on microeconomics - the decisions and behaviour of individuals and firms. The economic principles underlying the determination of price and output, firm costs, industrial structure and market failures are outlined. Next, the module focuses on macroeconomics - the economy at national and international levels - and its impacts on business behaviour. You’ll learn how the key macroeconomic variables (inflation, unemployment, and so on) influence business activity and government macroeconomic policy.

The module begins by reviewing various techniques for collecting and presenting data. Some important measures and techniques for making sense of raw data are then introduced which are widely used by businesses when analysing both their internal and external environments. This module builds on the introduction to spreadsheet packages previously encountered in semester one where you’ll be helped to develop further hands-on skills in using such packages in computer workshops. Careful attention is also paid throughout the module to the interpretation and application of the various quantitative methods and techniques to the solution of real-world business problems. Innovative video software is used to support you throughout the module.

The financial accounting half of this module will give you a thorough grasp of the basics of financial reporting (context, purposes, regulatory framework) and builds towards a proficiency in the recording of business transactions. The module introduces the principal concepts of financial accounting, and the way in which individual transactions can be analysed to provide appropriate information for stakeholders. The preparation of principal financial statements is also explored, together with the interpretation of such statements. The management accounting half of this module is designed to emphasise the acquisition and application of skills and knowledge necessary to inform managers responsible for planning, decision-making and control and will provide the underpinning skills and knowledge required for more advanced study. The key issues addressed will be the fundamentals of cost data collection, analysis and allocation of costs, costing of products and services, decision-making using absorption (including Activity-based costing), marginal costing techniques and cash flows, budgeting and budgetary control.

Management in practice is about supporting people to work effectively in different organisational contexts. Regardless of your technical area, type of organisation or job position, you will need to manage your relationships with colleagues, managers, subordinates and customers. This module will equip you with knowledge and skills to help you understand how people and organisations function at individual, group and organisational levels based on the latest academic evidence.

This module introduces you to the basics of financial management. The purpose of this module is to equip you with a framework and basic tools and techniques necessary to make sound financial decisions. Both short and long term decisions need to be made within the corporate environment. In the short-term, organisations need to manage their liquidity position and to this end, you’ll learn about the main components of working capital management, including cash, inventory, receivables and payables management. Long term projects will also be evaluated using investment appraisal techniques such as accounting rate of return, payback method, internal rate of return and net present value analysis. The module will introduce you to the decisions that need to be made in relation to each of the concepts and the tools that can be used to aid in this decision-making. This will include evaluating sources of finance and the associated costs of each source, exploring the dividend policies that can be adopted by an organisation and the impact of such policies as well as using the aforementioned investment appraisal techniques to assess investment opportunities.

Year two, core modules

This module develops basic accounting concepts, covered in the pre-requisite modules aiming to develop the knowledge and skills required to understand and apply International Accounting Standards in the preparation of financial statements of entities. The module will consider the conceptual frameworks for financial reporting, the required accounting treatment for key items appearing in financial statements, the preparation of cash flow statements and the analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

Looking forward and planning for the future is essential in any organisation. As organisations develop they must always have an eye on the future and make decisions that influence performance. Planning and decision making is a core aspect of business strategy and this module will look at the accounting and finance information that is used in planning and in support of the decision making process and control against those plans. It will introduce and demonstrate to you the accounting techniques which are used in planning and control and short and long term decision making. It will critique the various techniques, discuss the theoretical underpinning and reflect on application and validity. The module will also draw on aspects of organisational behaviour, and the risky, uncertain and quickly-changing environment in which many organisations operate.

Project management is a key skill for any future professional to acquire, at some stage in your career you will be involved in delivering or working on a project. This module focuses on providing a sound basis for managing or working on projects. In essence, the concept of managing a project hinging on one quite basic principle, managing the triangle of: quality of the project outcomes, cost and time. In practice, this is a complex juggling act. The module covers: the major process groups of the Project Management Body of Knowledge; the importance of stakeholder and risk management; scheduling and costing; monitoring and controlling techniques, including cost control, time management and resource optimisation; improving the success of projects; and the principles of agile project management. Assessment is by two pieces of coursework: a project schedule and discussion of stakeholders and risks, and a limited time case study problem.

The module examines the nature, purpose and scope of assurance engagements, including the statutory audit, its regulatory environment, and introduces professional ethics relating to audit and assurance. The importance of auditing theory underpinning practice is also emphasised. Internal audit is covered, including the scope as well as the differences between internal audit and external audit. The module then covers a range of areas relating to an audit of financial statements. These include planning and risk assessment, evaluating internal controls, audit evidence, computer audit and a review of the financial statements. The final stage deals with reporting, including statutory audit reports, management reports, internal audit report and an evaluation of current issues facing auditing. You’ll need a good foundation in financial accounting.

Within this module you will be introduced to how sustainability (economic, environmental, social and governance) issues have a direct impact on risk exposure and management and the quality of public, private and government debt/equity investments within the global financial market.
By the end of the module, you will understand how these issues affect investment decisions made by institutional investors, corporate lenders, insurance companies, asset management funds, hedge funds, venture capitalists and retail investors, as well as business decisions made by corporate managers.

This innovative and exciting career-focused module will help you develop the employability skills and capabilities that are needed to compete successfully in the graduate labour market whilst seeking to provide you with knowledge, support and insight into the contemporary world of work and the business market. The module will also develop your skills and is therefore practical and engages you in case study exercise, real-life scenarios, audit and skills testing techniques and invites external guest speakers and employers to provide insight and input. The lectures and seminars will provide key inputs to help introduce you to fundamental employability concepts, insights and techniques, drawn from the world of business and management, but also from other disciplines such as sociology, social psychology and the humanities.

Placement year (Optional)

This is a pass/fail optional module. In a competitive job market, understanding how the professional work place functions, along with well-developed employability skills, are key to a graduate securing employment. The work placement gives you the opportunity to put into practice what would have been learned in the first two years and to enter their final year with the insights of their practical experience in the field. During this module you will undertake a work-based learning internship with a company or organisation where they will be supported in developing effective professional practices through guidance in generic and specific employability skills and through developing independent reflective learning practices to enhance your continuing professional development in the context of your own working environment. The module aims to provide you with experience of work in a business environment including familiarisation with a professional work environment. The module will be underpinned by employability skills training, reflective assessment and support from academic tutors. You will expected to be able to reflect on your experience in writing and orally, and demonstrate how you have applied theory, and learnings to date within a work-based environment. The assessment aims to support and develop your ability to demonstrate your professionalism, leadership and managerial skills to a prospective employer whilst also learning key communication and personal skills. - You must secure a placement, or placements (maximum 3) amounting to 9 months duration with minimum term of 3 months per placement. - Placement can start at any point from 1 June and must have started by 1 October.

Year three, core modules

This module is designed to understand the assessment of tax in the UK. UK taxation can be exceedingly complicated for both companies and individuals in today's worldwide economy. Building upon previous knowledge you will then develop this to assess individual liability to tax and the profits chargeable to UK Tax on companies and unincorporated businesses. This will involve a full understanding of the UK Tax system. A detailed study will be made of both Income Tax and Capital Gains tax. The impact of both overseas and UK subsidiaries will be studied in detail. This will culminate in the ability to compute the tax burden for individuals, unincorporated businesses and companies and groups of companies with overseas and UK subsidiaries. Tax planning issues will be introduced at the later stage of the module.

The module will develop your ability to exercise judgement in a corporate reporting environment as corporations can operate in exceedingly complex markets. Clear financial reporting requires the ability to interpret complex transactions by applying accounting principles and regulations. This module will include areas of financial reporting difficulty such as business combinations, substance, deferred tax and financial instruments. An international context will be taken to corporate reporting and current issues will be used as examples and case studies.

This module will provide you with a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of corporate finance at an advanced level, and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research in corporate finance, with an emphasis on the applications of the principles. Both normative and positive aspects of the theory are examined, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence. This module extends, develops and applies some of the materials introduced in previous modules and focuses on key aspects of the financial operations related to maximising the valuation of a corporation in an international environment. Principles that corporations use in their investment and financing decisions making are reviewed and practices evaluated. This includes portfolio management, fisher's separation theorem, and arbitrage pricing theory technical analysis, fundamental valuation and relative valuation investment strategy.

The role and requirements of a professional accountant extend far beyond that of being responsible for the preparation of financial and management accounts. As a professional accountant you will have responsibility for compliance with the statutory requirements of company law, ensuring that accounting standards are adhered to, identifying & managing risk, internal audit and reporting on non-financial elements of company reporting including CSR (Corporate Social Reporting) and environmental issues. This responsibility not only requires knowledge of the statutory and compliance regulations but also Corporate Governance which includes an understanding of the regulatory framework, agency, corporate roles & responsibilities, ethics and CSR. As a professional in any field of expertise you should have personal professional and ethical standards to which you should adhere. This module will provide an overview of the legal and compliance requirements, introduce the concept of corporate governance and its' regulation, risk, internal audit, CSR and personal professional ethics.

This module encourages you to recognise the importance and special role of money in an advanced industrial society. The module seeks to give you a thorough understanding of monetary theories and of the monetary policies that Governments enact based on these theories. While special emphasis is given to contemporary issues, such as the role of the single currency, the module seeks to understand how we have arrived at the current situation. To this end the module investigates our understanding of money and alternatives to traditional money supplies. The module will then explore how monetary policy work and the links between this policy and the macro-economy. Following the most recent financial crisis the role of intermediation in monetary policy is also explored. The theories behind monetary policy, from Keynes to those contemporary alternatives, and their practical application will also be investigated. The role of the central bank in the setting and managing of monetary policy will also be reviewed. Finally this module will consider the implementation of the single currencies, its aims and impact, as well as the issues surrounding such a monetary union. This module will be assessed via both a 2,400 word report, intended to develop critical thinking and writing skills and a 35 minute test that will encourage independent study and time management skills.

This module will provide an introduction to Big Data analytics and explain key concepts, theories and issues of working with big data. You will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of big data analytics and how the methods employed in analysis of big data differ from those used in analysis of small data sets. This module will equip you with tools and techniques that are essential to turn constantly expanding data to meaningful information. Big data fundamentals will enhance your skills in data extraction, interpretation of data structure, identification of patterns and trends within the data available within enterprise, external and in a variety of media resources, to provide a better solution to the relevant business problems. At the end of the module, you will develop an understanding of the strategic implications of big data analysis, and will be ready to face the challenges of work in contemporary data-rich business environments. The knowledge and skills in this field are increasingly in demand, therefore this module will help you become more competitive in the job market.

This module aims to provide an introduction to contemporary business research in the areas of accounting, finance and other relevant disciplines. It is designed to stimulate and excite as you explore a detailed area of contemporary research in modern business world. Your studies will include the introduction of theoretical frameworks, targeted literature searches, data collection using professional business database and data analysis utilising different methods. The final business report allows you to engage in a substantial piece of individual desk-based/secondary research focussed on a field relevant to their degree award and subject area under the supervision and guidance of members of academic staff. With guidance you will conduct business research based on theoretical frameworks, evaluate and critically appraise a range of information, investigate and adopt suitable desk-based methodologies to work with data, and determine solutions to those business research problems.

Assessment

We'll assess your work in a variety of ways including exams, coursework, essays and activity-based assignments. So expect, for example, problem-solving activities, consultancy projects, presentations, computer-based exams, a trading simulation portfolio and group or individual reports. You'll also be able to access support materials through our virtual learning environment (CANVAS).

Where you'll study

Your faculty

You have a highly active mind and see opportunity everywhere. Now you need theory and life-changing skills to sharpen your approach to management. At the Faculty of Business & Law, you will immerse yourself in a multicultural environment where technology blends with teaching to create a dynamic and innovative learning environment. An environment to help you gain those skills.

Where can I study?

Additional study information

You’ll study in our Centre of Excellence in Accounting and Finance, supported by academic researchers, professionals and our Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab – a bespoke financial trading platform providing live financial information about companies trading on global stock exchanges. The Lab is integrated into the curriculum to enhance your learning, professional development and employability as well as encourage your interest in the financial markets. It also gives staff and students to opportunity to collaborate. There’s also a Bloomberg app, so you can access the Lab while you’re on the move.

Placement year

We want to make sure that you’re fully prepared for an increasingly competitive job market, so we offer a four-year degree option which includes a work placement in the third year. It’s an opportunity to apply and enhance your skills while developing new ones. You’ll also build valuable professional networks.

It could be that you have one placement during Year 3, or you could have two or three, giving you the chance to experience different organisations and working practices. Many of our students find that their placement company hires them when they graduate. We have a specialist team to help you find a placement and support you during this year. You might work in the UK or go abroad: our students have worked at leading organisations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bosch, BMW, Airbus, BskyB and KPMG. This period of work experience can help set your final-year studies in context and may well help with your dissertation topic. All in all, it’s a fantastic way to stay ahead of the competition!

Studying abroad

You could broaden your horizons by spending time living and studying abroad. This could be a short study visit or a semester spent in Europe, Canada, the USA or Malaysia. It will look great on your CV and help you take advantage of opportunities in the international job market.

Fees & funding

Course fees

UK & EU students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£9,250

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£13,100

Placement year (UK, EU, international students)

£1,250

Fee information

For more information about tuition fees, including the UK Government's commitment to EU students, please see our UK/EU funding pages

How do I pay my fees?

Tuition fee loan

You can take out a tuition fee loan, which you won’t need to start repaying until after your graduate. Or alternatively, there's the option to pay your fees upfront.

International students

Funding for UK & EU students

Most new undergraduate students can apply for government funding to support their studies and university life. This includes Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans. There are additional grants available for specific groups of students, such as those with disabilities or dependants.

Funding for international students

Entry requirements

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Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@anglia.ac.uk for further information.

We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.

International students

We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.

Get more information

UK & EU applicants

International applicants

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